South African Virtual Pipe Organ Project

Using Jsampler - Fantasia with Miditzer in Puppy Linux VTPO

Introduction

First Step - Creating the VTPO Orchestra

1. Start Qjackctl (Multimedia -> Qjackctl)
2. Start the LinuxSampler server by clicking on Multimedua -> Linuxsampler (or opening a console and typing in 'linuxsampler' at the command line)
3. Now load Fantasia by clicking on Multimedia -> Jsampler/Fantasia
4. You should see something like this:
   
5. The first time that you run Fantasia you will be asked to specify a home directory. The default of /root/.jsampler is fine, so just click OK
6. Don't worry about the 'Updating database directory' Error (there isn't a database yet), just click OK
7. Now click on the chevron next to the Manage Orchestras title on the right hand side of the Fantasia window to open the Orchestras Panel. Then click on the Create New Orchestra icon
   
8. Now type in VTPO in the Orchestra Name, and Virtual Theater Pipe Organ Ranks in the Description box
   
9. Click OK
10. In the Orchestra Instruments Panel below the Manage Orchestras panel click on the Create New Intrument icon
    
11. Enter Flute in the Instrument Name box, a brief description in the Desription box, then click on the Browse button and locate the first GIG sample file and double click on it to load it into the Add/Edit Instrument window
    
12. Click OK
13. You will now see the Flute listed within the VTPO orchestra
14. Click on the Create New Instrument button again
15. Enter Diaphonic Diapason in the Instrument Name box, a brief description in the Desription box, then click on the Browse button and locate the second GIG sample file and double click on it to load it into the Add/Edit Instrument window
    
16. Click OK
17. Continue adding the GIG samples/instruments to the VTPO orchestra configuration until all of them are loaded
    

Second Step - Configuring the Audio and Midi

1. On the right hand side of the Fantasia screen you will find the Audio and Midi setup and configuration areas
2. Click on the MIDI Devices power button
3. Select ALSA from the Driver drop down
4. Double click on the PORTS option - then click on the up arrow to change the number of ports from 1 to 2
5. Then click on Create
   
6. Now click on the Audio Devices power button
7. Select Jack from the Driver drop down
8. Then click on Create
   
9. You should now see the MIDI and Audio devices with thier power buttons lit - as follows:
   

Third Step - Creating the LinuxSampler Ranks

The Ranks that we will use from the orchestra configuration will be created in the center panel. Each 'instrument' will be created as a section within the rack.

1. Click on the Instrument power button
   
2. Click on Load Instrument...
3. Select the Concert Flute from the Instrument drop down
   
4. Click on OK
5. Click on the next Instrument power button
6. Click on Load Instrument...
7. Select the Diaph Diapason from the Instrument drop down
   
8. Click on OK
9. Continue loading the Ranks of the VTPO until all are loaded
   
10. Take note of the extra configuration option available when clicking on the Options button - MIDI Port and Channel and Audio Channel
    

Fourth Step - Connecting LinuxSampler with Miditzer

1. Start Miditzer and click on the yellow M icon on the top left corner of the window and select Miditzer Settings...
   
2. Configure your MIDI inputs and channels
   
3. Click on the Output tab
4. Select LinuxSampler - Port 0 in the Set all MIDI output devices: drop down
   
5. Change the Sleigh Bells MIDI channel to 15
6. Change the Tremolo method to Modulation controller
7. Click OK

Fifth Step - Set Volume Levels in Fantasia

1. Play a few notes in each rank and get a feel for the default volume levels, make a note of the rank that is the softest and then make a list of the ranks that need to have their volume levels reduced to properly play with the softest rank.
2. Select the softest sounding rank and a rank that needs volume adjustment together
3. Minimize the Miditzer window
4. Maximise the Fantasia window
5. Play some notes and adjust the volume level of the louder rank until the volume level sounds right
6. Minimize the Fantasia window
7. De-select the rank that you have just adjusted and select the next rank
8. Adjust the volume control of each rank in Fantasia until your Miditzer sounds pleasing
9. Click on the Actions menu item and select Export -> Sampler Configuration to save the configuration  
10. Save the configuration as FantasiaMiditzer.lscp

Sixth Step - Adding Reverb

1. To use Jack Rack and gverb go to jackrack.htm
2. To use jconv Convolution reverb go to jconv.htm